Bobfish Tales

My last blog was on the migration of redfish through the many lakes around the Houma area and south. This is a pic of a red that was nearly 40lbs caught on topwater on lake Decade a few years ago. It is amazing to think that a 20 minute boat ride you could catch fish like this. We have an amazing fishery and are fortunate to live in fishing paradise. Good luck fishing. Hope to see ya on the water.

It's no secret that you can catch redfish year round in the many miles of marsh around south Louisiana. But, just about every year starting around late August, the redfish invade the many area lakes from Decade to Boudreaux, Wonder, Madison, Mechant, Lost and many others just to name a few. The peak action usually occurs late September through October. Although these lakes will always hold redfish, the large schools will disappear about as quick as they show up. It is a magnificent time to catch great numbers on top water or any other lure you want to toss. One of my favorite top water baits is the mirror lure Shepup in chartreuse. However there are many really good top water baits these days, it makes it a difficult decision to choose the right one. Perhaps more than lure choice, is how you work them. Keeping your rod tip down and using a "walking the dog" type retrieve will normally get the best results. A medium action rod in spinning or bait cast is also recommende...

There are times when you just have to finesse the fish into biting. It's not just technique, but adjusting lure type and size, as well as line size. Sometimes, this all determines whether you catch fish or not. We have all been with someone who is catching more fish than you are, even when the same color or type of lure is being used. However, it may be that small subtle thing that matters more than just color. It may be the type or size of your line. It could be the style or weight of the bait you are using. No doubt, when crappie get finicky, adjusting your tactic will boat you more fish. One common mistake some fishers make, especially when fishing shallow water like the marsh here in south Louisiana, is using a jig that is too heavy. When fish are reluctant to bite, the last thing you need is for the bait to sink too quickly past the fish. Keeping the lure in the strike zone is important and can be done with a heavier jig, but may not trigger a bite. A lot of times when co...

There are very few places in the U.S. like the Atchafalaya Basin located in the southern part of Louisiana. It has many miles of cypress swamp, bayous and lakes. It has more area than one could fish in a lifetime and is one of the most scenic places anywhere. The Basin is one of the best crappie fisheries when conditions are right. Not only can you catch limits of nice crappie, but the countless number of bluegill, goggle-eye, shell-crackers, and bass make it a fishers paradise. However the basin can be trying and depending on water levels can be impossible at times to figure out. Some trips you would swear there is no fish to be caught and at other times you may wonder where have all these fish have been. There are reasons for this. The number one would be water levels. When the levels are above flood stage, the fish tend to scatter through the millions of acres of marsh and be maybe difficult to locate. But when water levels recede and drop below flood stage, fishing can be fantastic...

Every year or at certain times of year, when spring floods recede and river levels drop, fishing goes crazy, especially in the Atchafalaya Basin; not only for crappie, but for shell crackers, goggle eye, and bluegill. When river levels are above flood stage, the fish tend to spread out, but when the woods or marsh become too shallow, the fish concentrate in the main bayous and in the many canals. This makes for incredible catches when you find the fish. There are peak times to look for. First being, when the water levels start to recede, the fish tend to school around points and at the mouth of canals that empty into the main channels. Other hot spots are standing timber in deeper water, especially when grass beds are present. Fishing grass lines can also produce. When river levels become steady or plateau, tidal flow can create those same fishing frenzies. It is not uncommon to catch hundreds of fish. Typically no live bait is needed in these situations. However, chinquapin can be fin...

Crappie fishing used to be a springtime event or at least perceived that way by many, but that was a long time passed. Not all, but many fishers didn't think you could catch crappie in the summertime. Times have certainly changed. There are many reasons for the awakening of crappie year round and the fishing being especially good during the summer. The first and perhaps greatest reason is simply knowledge. The fish have always been around whatever area people were fishing, but many never bothered to try for crappie. These days, not only have fishers learned to catch crappie in the summer, but for many it's the best time to fish them. Second reason for great summertime crappie action is electronics. In many areas where water depths can vary form shallow to very deep, electronics make it easier to locate where the fish hang out on those hot summer days, as well as locating structure. Here in southern Louisiana electronics do not play a big roll in finding fish. The marshes are ty...

Crappie fishers all have a legacy, a start, somewhere, some place and time they fell in love with the sport of crappie fishing. Crappie fishing is more like an art. The bite, that thump, the cork sinking slowly under is what crappie fishers live for. My obsession started many years ago. My grandfather, who's nickname was "Catfish Willie," was also a great white perch fisherman from Arkansas. He ran a fish camp on the White River. His knowledge and fishing expertise was ahead of its' time. He never owned a rod or reel. He strictly stuck with a cane pole and live bait. He had moved to Louisiana many years ago for work. His only son, my father "Rex" carried on in his foot steps. After serving 5 years in the marine Corps during WWII, he settled down here in South Louisiana. He had learned his skills from his father and as many great fisherman had taken what he had learned and added to it. My dad graduated from the cane pole to a flyrod and reel. This was before...